Carillion is, or was, the second largest construction firm in the UK. It’s collapse on Monday 15 January 2017 was confirmed when the High Court ordered the compulsory liquidation of the various companies in the group. It employed 20,000 people and the projects of the business included the HS2 rail project, Battersea Power Station redevelopment, military contracts and the maintenance of schools, prisons and hospitals. So, what happens now?

I previously considered this subject in a blog in November 2014, which can be found here. I had been faced with the problem of an insolvent company in the context of an injury claim arising out of an occupier’s liability accident in Cornwall. Whilst staying in a hotel my client had suffered a nasty injury to her ankle, The hotel was run by a limited company which went into liquidation during the case.

An estate is deemed to be bankrupt when the total value of its debts and liabilities (including conditional and future liabilities) is greater than the total value of its assets. A bankrupt estate is often a very daunting prospect for the executors or administrators (the PRs). The task of administering such an estate is challenging and often fraught with pitfalls. What should the PRs look out for?

If I was to provide some top tips for those potentially faced with insolvent estates, I would say the following are my top 3:

Unlike in personal insolvency, the estate is bankrupt when its liabilities are greater than assets. There is no need for an order declaring an estate bankrupt. Equally, there is, therefore, no specific, different Grant appointing those responsible for administering an insolvent estate. A bankrupt estate may be administered by its appointed executor or administrator (PR), applying insolvency rules in the administration process.